NEW HAMPTON -- The charge suggests something bad happened early Wednesday in a rural farmhouse. Details available in public documents at the Chickasaw County Courthouse paint an even darker image.

Law enforcement officials arrested Rusty Barker, 23, of Waterloo, and Justin Thompson, 19, of Dunkerton, accusing the pair of first-degree kidnapping. The charge is a Class A felony, and a conviction would carry a life sentence with no chance for parole.

A statement released Thursday by Lt. Todd Miller and the Chickasaw County sheriff's office also alleges Barker and Thompson confined and tortured the victim in the case, Thomas Cummings, 20.

But it is information included in the application for a search warrant, the related return of service document and criminal complaints that take the allegations to a frighteningly specific level.

In the court documents, Cummings and Chickasaw County deputies allege he was beaten with a "monkey wrench" and an aluminum pipe; burned multiple times with cigarettes, kneed in the groin and kicked in the face repeatedly; and electrocuted with a battery charger designed for automobiles. Some of the assault also occurred after Barker and Thompson forced Cummings to take off his clothes, according to court documents.

The attack reportedly lasted from 1 to 5 a.m. Wednesday. Cummings suffered "many bruises, burns and lacerations," according to the criminal complaint. He was treated at the Waverly Health Center, and the Bremer County Sheriff's Department started the investigation.

Cummings was living at 1829 300th St. in rural Chickasaw County, said Robert Skillen, who rents the property and who witnessed at least some of the alleged assault. The attack primarily occurred in an attached garage.

"It wasn't good," Skillen said. " … It went from bad to worse."

Skillen rents the rural acreage from Steve Smith of Cedar Rapids. He said he receives Social Security Disability Income because of problems with his knees and back and because of "a learning disability." Skillen moved in just a few months ago, and Kim Matchett, who is from Nebraska, and her five children joined him. The children are from 8 to 16 years old.

Cummings dates Matchett's 16-year-old daughter. Court records state Cummings slept on the floor in the two-story farmhouse.

Cummings previously lived in the Dettmer House, which is part of Community Based Services. The county agency is based in Waverly and provides services to adults with mental and physical disabilities.

Skillen said Thompson and Barker showed up Tuesday between 6 and 7 p.m. They were drinking beer and vodka, Skillen said, and in court documents, Cummings admitted drinking beer as well. Two other adults -- a man and a woman -- were also in the house.

Skillen said the men got physical with Cummings because he "was being lippy." In court documents, however, Cummings told Lt. Miller that he was accused of owing Barker money, a claim Cummings denied.

Cummings also told Lt. Miller "at times witnesses would be present but Rusty (Barker) told them to 'go for a walk,'" according to court documents.

Skillen on Friday said he was scared for his and the others' safety and could not intervene.

"I didn't want them to go after me," Skillen said.

After the attack ended, Thompson and Barker poured salt on some of Cummings' wounds. And later, Matchett, Skillen's live-in girlfriend, drove Cummings to Waverly and the Dettmer House, according to court documents.

Skillen said he regrets not doing more.

"We should have called that night, but you can't back up time," he said.

Investigation

The Chickasaw County sheriff's office used a search warrant to investigate the scene. The return for service paperwork on file at the courthouse reveals deputies found multiple blood stains in the garage and house. The potential list of evidence also includes "alligator clips" for a 12-volt battery charger, a black leather strap, an 18-pack Bud Light box, a crescent wrench and an open container of Morton salt.

Lt. Miller declined to comment on the case Friday, or on statements made by Skillen.

"I can't confirm or deny anything," Miller said. "We're still trying to investigate it as best we can."

Miller did say, however, that residents in Chickasaw, Bremer and Black Hawk counties do not need to be concerned about their safety as a result of this case.

"It was an isolated incident," Miller said.

Barker is being held in the Chickasaw County Jail on a $500,000 cash-only bond. Barker said he has no job, according to his financial affidavit, and he has applied for a court-appointed lawyer. His preliminary hearing is set for 10 a.m. Thursday.

Thompson's bond is also set at $500,000 cash but the specifics were not yet on file with the clerk of court as of Friday afternoon.

Beth Parker and her family live near the rural farmhouse on 300th Street. They recently talked about locking their doors more frequently.

"We've been a little more cautious since they moved in," Parker said.

But she added the family has never had any problems with Skillen and, in fact, described all the tenants as "very friendly."

Carl and Leona Smith live around the corner from Skillen and Matchett. Their son, Steve Smith, owns the property. He also describes the tenants as friendly, but he noted the reports of violence are troubling.

"That's getting pretty close to home," Carl Smith said.

Contact Dennis Magee at (319) 291-1451 or dennis.magee@wcfcourier.com.